SARATOGA SPRINGS — If there weren’t already enough incentive to witness Rachel Alexandra’s run for history against older male horses in Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes, here’s another reason: With an eye toward racing his super filly as a 4-year-old in 2010, owner Jess Jackson said yesterday the Woodward could be Rachel’s final start of this year.

“There’s no necessity (to run Rachel again),” Jackson told a national media teleconference. “She’s had a long campaign, 13 races as a 2- and 3-year-old, seven of them this year, four of them Grade 1’s and two Grade 2’s.

“She is a tired horse in a way, and that’s why we’re giving her long rests between (races). And she’s entitled to rest up for a campaign in 2010. We intend to race her then if her health conditions are appropriate.

“All options are under consideration. But it’s always going to be her decision whether she’s fit. She’ll tell us when she’s ready to race. If she tells us that, then we’ll assess a combination of factors.”

One option not under consideration, Jackson reiterated, is a run in the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 6-7 over the synthetic Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita, where Rachel would likely face the West Coast’s superstar mare, undefeated Zenyatta.

“I don’t want to risk her this year on anything but dirt,” Jackson said. “There’s still the danger of having to put her down if she breaks legs, and artificial turf has already demonstrated that’s too frequent.”

There is a proposal to raise the purse of the Beldame Stakes for fillies and mares on Oct. 3 at Belmont Park from $600,000 to $1 million if both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta start.

“If Zenyatta were to come to the Beldame, that would certainly direct us toward it,” Jackson said. “If Rachel’s in great shape, I’d have to consider all the options, and that would certainly be one.

“But both camps have to do the best thing for their horse. (Zenyatta is) undefeated. She’s a champion, a great horse. So is Rachel.”